Four-Way Upright Pallet Device

ABSTRACT

An upright pallet device is provided that comprises a pallet base and an upright support surface extending therefrom. The pallet base comprises an upper deck, a bottom deck, and blocks therebetween to offset the upper and bottom deck. The pallet base is a hollow, rectangular structure that comprises openings on all fours sides thereof. The sides, openings, and open interior of the base accommodate the fork of a pallet jack, a forklift, or the nose of a hand truck. The bottom deck comprises an open structure that accommodates a fork wheel therethrough when elevating the pallet device from the floor. Finally, the upstanding surface comprises a solid or open frame construction for supporting upright loads on the pallet base, whereby the load can be tethered or wrapped thereto. Two or more pallet devices can be carried on a single pallet fork, thereby allowing several pallet devices to be transported simultaneously.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/127,009 filed on Mar. 2, 2015. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to pallets and transport sleds. More specifically, the present invention relates to a new and improved, upright pallet device that has a base adapted to be supported by a pallet jack fork, forklift, or nose of a hand truck, along with an upright portion for supporting upright loads along their height.

For suppliers and warehouses to operate efficiently and economically, they must ensure that their products are handled and transported as quickly and efficiently as possible. At the same time, swiftness is worthless without reliability and safety. Pallets are cargo sleds that are adapted to be mechanically lifted by pallet jacks and forklifts, allowing large quantities of cargo to be moved together. However, for small items or items that stack in smaller areas, a pallet may not be desired. The present invention provides an updated pallet design that is useful for carrying stacks of items or substantially vertical cargo, whereby the pallet provides both a base and a vertical frame to support the cargo.

In particular, the present invention comprises an upright cargo pallet that has a base and an upstanding surface extending therefrom. The base has an upper deck, a lower deck, and blocks therebetween to provide a substantially hollow structure with openings on each side. The openings allow the fork of a pallet jack or forklift, or the nose of a hand truck, to be inserted thereinto from any of its four sides. Moreover, the lower edges of the base include chamfered edges to allow the nose a hand truck to be inserted below the lower deck of the base. Items are stacked on the upper deck of the base and supported thereon. The upstanding surface provides lateral support for the cargo, while also acting as an anchor upon which the cargo can be wrapped and secured thereto. Overall, the present invention provides smaller, more efficient cargo pallet that is useful for smaller loads or for stackable cargo where a full-sized pallet is not desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following summary is intended solely for the benefit of the reader and is not intended to be limiting in any way. The present invention provides a new upright pallet device that can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when hauling stacked loads on a smaller pallet base.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved upright pallet device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an upright pallet device that provides a pallet base and an upright surface for supporting stacked loads thereon, whereby multiple pallet devices may be transported by a single jack or lift.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an upright pallet device that can be lifted by a pallet jack fork, a forklift, or a hand truck along any of its four sides, thereby facilitating transport of cargo thereon.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an upright pallet device that comprises a pallet base having an upper deck, a bottom deck, and plurality of blocks between the upper deck and the bottom deck. The blocks offset the upper deck from the bottom deck to form an open interior therebetween and openings along all sides of the pallet base.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an upright pallet device whereby the upper deck and lower deck are substantially rectangular with four outer edges and four corners. The blocks are disposed between the corners of the upper and lower deck, whereby blocks offset the two.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an upright pallet device with a base that comprises a pair of sides and a pair of ends, whereby the pallet base comprises one of a rectangular or square construction. Openings through each of the sides and the ends allow for four-way engagement of the pallet base by a lift, jack, or hand truck.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an upright pallet device with a substantially rectangular base having a lower deck with four lower edges. The lower edges are chamfered inward, thereby accommodating the nose of a hand truck being inserted under the lower deck of the base.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an upright pallet device that further comprises an upstanding article support surface extending substantially perpendicularly from the upper deck, whereby the upstanding article support surface comprises a substantially planar surface with a height, a width, and a surface area.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an upright pallet device whereby the bottom deck is comprised of a plurality of deckboards that extend between adjacent blocks to form a bottom deck with an open structure with a perimeter frame. The deckboards secure on their ends to the blocks, extending below and along the outer edges of the upper deck.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an upright pallet device whereby the open interior of the perimeter frame of the deckboards is sized to receive the lift wheel and rise of a pallet jack therethrough when the fork of a pallet jack is inserted through the open interior of the pallet base.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an upright pallet device, whereby the upstanding article support surface comprises an upstanding frame having a plurality of stringers extending upwards from the pallet base, a plurality of cross members connected to the stringers and extending thereacross.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an upright pallet device whereby the upstanding article support surface is secured to the pallet base along an outer edge thereof, and whereby the pallet base and the upstanding article support surface form a substantial L-shape.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an upright pallet device whereby the openings through the sides of the pallet base are aligned such that a pallet jack fork can be inserted through the sides and through the open interior of the pallet base.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an upright pallet device whereby the openings through the ends of the pallet base are aligned such that a pallet jack fork can be inserted through the ends and through the open interior of the pallet base.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an upright pallet device whereby the openings through the sides of the pallet base are sized to receive a single pallet jack fork therethrough, and the upper deck and the bottom deck are sized to accommodate an adjacent pallet base of a second four-way upright pallet device along an opposing pallet jack fork.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an upright pallet device whereby the opening through the ends of the pallet base are sized to receive a single pallet jack fork therethrough, and the upper deck and the bottom deck are sized to accommodate an adjacent pallet base of a second four-way upright pallet device along an opposing pallet jack fork.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an upright pallet device whereby the openings through the sides of the pallet base are aligned and sized such that a nose plate of a hand truck can be inserted through the sides and through the open interior of the pallet base.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an upright pallet device whereby the openings through the ends of the pallet base are aligned and sized such that a nose plate of a hand truck can be inserted through the ends and through the open interior of the pallet base.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a frontal perspective view of the upright pallet device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a side perspective view of the upright pallet device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a frontal view of the upright pallet device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the upright pallet device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a view of the upright pallet device of the present invention being transported in multiple along the forks of a pallet jack or forklift.

FIG. 6 shows a view of the upright pallet device of the present invention being transported by a hand truck.

FIG. 7 shows a cross section view of an embodiment of the base of the upright pallet device, whereby the lower edges are chamfered inward.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the upright pallet device. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for supporting upright loads using a pallet base and an upstanding surface. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, there are shown several views of the upright pallet device 100 of the present invention. The pallet device 100 is preferably one that provides a smaller support surface for cargo than a traditional pallet, whereby the device 100 is specifically designed to support vertical stacks of cargo items or taller-sized cargo thereon. The device 100 comprises a pallet base 10 and an upstanding article support surface 50 extending upwards therefrom. The pallet base 10 supports cargo from below, while the upstanding support surface 50 provides lateral support for the cargo. The support surface 50 also provides a means to tether the cargo to the pallet along the height of the cargo. This allows cargo to be wrapped or otherwise secured to the upstanding support surface 50 for increased stability while the pallet is full and in transit.

The pallet base 10 preferably comprises an upper deck 11, a bottom deck 18, and plurality of blocks 12 therebetween. The blocks 12 offset the upper deck 11 from the bottom deck 18 to form an open interior therebetween. The upper deck 11 and bottom deck 18 preferably comprise a rectangular shape with a pair of sides 17, a pair of ends 13, and four corners. However, the pallet base 10 may comprise different shapes and different sizes for different applications. The rectangular embodiment is one contemplated embodiment that can support load and provide four-way access for a forklift, hand truck, or pallet jack.

Between the blocks 12 and between the upper deck 11 and bottom deck 18 are openings 30, 20. The ends 13 and the sides 17 include aligned openings 20, 30, respectively. This allows the fork of a lift or the nose of a hand truck to enter through the aligned openings in the sides 17 or ends 13, and through the open interior of the base. The blocks 12 have upper and a lower ends, whereby the upper end of the blocks 12 bears against the upper deck 11 and the lower end of the blocks 12 bears against the bottom deck 18. The blocks 12 are preferably disposed at the corners of the base 10 and between the upper deck 11 and the bottom deck 18.

The bottom deck 18 preferably comprises an open surface, formed of a plurality of deckboards 14 extending between the blocks 12 of the base 10. The deckboards 14 extend between adjacent blocks 12 and along the periphery of the base 10, affixing to the lower end 19 of the blocks. In this way, the deckboards 14 are aligned with along the outer edges of the upper deck 11, and form an open surface with a perimeter frame of deckboards 14 with an open interior 40. The open interior 40 of the bottom deck 18 provides clearance for a pallet jack wheel to pass therethrough when supporting the pallet base along one of its forks. In particular, the open interior 40 of the perimeter frame deckboards 14 is sized to receive the lift wheel and rise of a pallet jack therethrough when the fork of a pallet jack is inserted through the open interior of the pallet base 10. This prevents interferences when supporting one or more of the pallet devices 100 along a pallet jack and while lifting the same from the ground.

Extending from the upper surface 15 of the upper deck 11 is the upstanding article support surface 50. The support surface 50 extends substantially perpendicularly upward from the upper surface 15 of the upper deck 11, whereby the upstanding article support surface 50 comprises a substantially planar surface with a height, a width, and a surface area. The lower end 58 of the surface 50 secures to the upper deck 11, while the upper end 59 extends above the pallet base 10 at a defined height. The surface 50 may secure to the upper surface 15 of the upper deck 11, or alternatively, the surface 50 may secure along one side 17 or end 13 of the pallet base 10 depending on design.

The upstanding support surface 50 is a planar surface that comprises one a solid surface or open frame construction. The open frame construction is shown in FIGS. 1-4, whereby the upstanding support surface 50 comprises an upstanding frame having a plurality of stringers 53 extending from the pallet base 10. The stringers 53 extend substantially vertically from the pallet base 10, while a plurality of cross members 54 secure the stringer together. Together, the upstanding article support surface 50 and the pallet base 10 form a structure that comprises a substantial L-shape. This provides support for stacked or taller cargo from below, as well as along the height of the cargo, adding to the stability of the carried load. Cargo can be tethered or otherwise secured to the upstanding support surface 50 to improve stability of stacked cargo. Additionally, hook hardware articles 85 (see FIG. 4) may be provided along the support surface 50 to facilitate tethering loads to the surface 50. These assist supporting cargo by maintaining the position of straps, cords, or rope secured around the cargo and support surface 50. Alternatively, plastic sheet material may be wrapped around the support surface 50 and cargo for more secure attachment.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, there are shown views of the pallet device 100 in a working state, supported by one of a fork 301 of a forklift 300 or pallet jack, and a hand truck 400. The pallet device 100 of the present invention is one that is preferably engageable by the fork 301 of a lift, or the nose 403 of hand truck 400 from either of the sides 17 or the ends 13. The two openings through the opposite sides 17 of the pallet base 10 are aligned such that a pallet jack fork 301 or hand truck nose 403 can be inserted therethrough and through the open interior of the pallet base 10. Moreover, the openings 30 through the ends 13 of the pallet base 10 are aligned such that a pallet jack fork 301 or hand truck nose 403 can be inserted through the openings 30 and through the open interior of the pallet base 10.

When lifting the pallets 100, the fork 301 or hand truck nose 403 is inserted through one of the pallet base openings and between a pair of the pallet blocks 12. Thereafter, the fork 301 or hand truck nose 403 lifts the pallet from below the upper deck 17. Alternatively, the pallet bottom deck 18 is can be supported by the hand truck nose 403 if inserted thereunder. Once the forks 301 of a pallet jack are inserted into the open interior of the pallet base 10, the open interior of the bottom deck 18 is sized to receive a lift wheel and riser supporting the wheel, which extends from the lower surface of the pallet jack fork 301. This allows the wheel of the fork 301 to be movable even after the fork 301 has been loaded with one or more pallets 100.

The pallet device of the present invention is sized preferably to allow several pallet devices 100 to be loaded onto a single forklift or pallet jack fork 301. Furthermore, the size of pallet devices 100 also preferably allows for each of the two forks 301 of the forklift 300 or pallet jack to simultaneously support pallet devices 100 of the present invention across from one another and without interference. Therefore, it is preferred that the pallet base 10 be sized slightly larger than the fork 301, but not to the extent interferences with an adjacent pallet base 10 would be encountered when loaded on an adjacent fork 301. The pallet base 10 is therefore preferably smaller than a traditional cargo pallet, allowing for more flexibility and for carrying narrower, stacked, or upright loads on the upper surface 15 thereof.

In addition to receiving the nose 403 of a hand truck through the open interior of the base 10, the assembly can furthermore be supported by a hand truck from below the base. In particular, and as shown in FIGS. 3-4 and FIG. 7, the lower edges 80, 81 of the of the base 10 may be chamfered inward to facilitate the entry of a hand truck nose 403 below the bottom deck 18 of the base 10 and the floor. As shown, the lower edges 80 along the sides 17 of the device may be chamfered, while the lower edges 81 along the ends 13 of the device may also be chamfered. The chamfered edges 80, 81 meet at the corners of the base 10.

FIG. 7 also illustrates an embodiment of the pallet base 10, whereby the base 10 includes drilled holes 89 which are adapted to receive the upright stringers 53 of the upstanding surface 50 therethrough. The lower ends of the upright stringers 53 may comprise post members that are received into the holes 89 of the base 10, securing the upstanding surface 50 to the pallet base 10. These lower posts extend downward from the upstanding surface 50 and secure within the holes 89 provided in the base to secure the upstanding article support surface to the pallet base such that the pallet base and the upstanding article support surface form a substantial L-shape. The upstanding surface 50 may be fastened and/or secured together with adhesive such that the lower ends of the stringers 53 do not separate from the base 10. Alternatively, the base 10 and the upstanding surface 50 may be designed to be separable based on the needs of the user, whereby the two are not otherwise fastened or glued together. In this way, the holes 89 provide a connection between the base 10 and the upright surface 50 that offers improved support and operational flexibility when deploying the correct pallet configuration for the cargo to be loaded thereonto.

It is understood that the exact size will vary and depend on the intended application and size of the forks commonly deployed for the given application. One skilled in the art would design the exact dimensions for the given application or customer, falling within the scope of the claims. In some embodiments, two or more pallet devices 100 may be lifted along a first fork 301, while two or more let devices 100 may be lifted along an opposing fork 301. When using a hand truck 400, the upstanding surface 50 of the pallet device can be supported against the frame 402 of the hand truck during transit. In this way, the pallet device is tilted as the hand truck elevates the pallet device and uses its wheels 401 to move the pallet device and cargo.

It is submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim: 1) A four-way upright pallet device, comprising: a pallet base having an upper deck, a bottom deck, and plurality of blocks between the upper deck and the bottom deck; the blocks offsetting the upper deck from the bottom deck to form an open interior therebetween; the upper deck being substantially rectangular with four outer edges and four corners; the blocks having an upper and a lower; blocks being disposed at the corners of the upper deck and the upper thereof being secured to the upper deck; the bottom deck being secured to the bottom of the blocks; whereby the pallet base further comprises a pair of sides and a pair of ends; the sides further comprising an opening therethrough, formed by the offset between the upper deck and the bottom deck; the ends further comprising an opening therethrough, formed by the offset between the upper deck and the bottom deck; an upstanding article support surface extending substantially perpendicularly from the upper deck, whereby the upstanding article support surface comprises a substantially planar surface with a height, a width, and a surface area. 2) The four-way upright pallet device of claim 1, wherein: the bottom deck is comprised of a plurality of deckboards; whereby the deckboards extend between adjacent blocks, below the upper deck and along the outer edges thereof; whereby the deckboards for a perimeter frame with an open interior. 3) The four-way upright pallet device of claim 2, whereby the open interior of the perimeter frame of the deckboards is sized to receive the lift wheel and rise of a pallet jack therethrough when the fork of a pallet jack is inserted through the open interior of the pallet base. 4) The four-way upright pallet device of claim 1, wherein: the upstanding article support surface comprises an upstanding frame having a plurality of stringers extending upwards from the pallet base, a plurality of cross members connected to the stringers and extending thereacross. 5) The four-way upright pallet device of claim 1, wherein: the upstanding article support surface is secured to the pallet base along an outer edge thereof, whereby the pallet base and the upstanding article support surface form a substantial L-shape. 6) The four-way upright pallet device of claim 1, wherein: the upstanding article support surface has a plurality of lower posts extending downward therefrom; and whereby the pallet base further comprises a plurality of holes adapted to receive the lower posts to secure the upstanding article support surface to the pallet base such that the pallet base and the upstanding article support surface form a substantial L-shape. 7) The four-way upright pallet device of claim 1, whereby the openings through the sides of the pallet base are aligned such that a pallet jack fork can be inserted through the sides and through the open interior of the pallet base. 8) The four-way upright pallet device of claim 1, whereby the openings through the ends of the pallet base are aligned such that a pallet jack fork can be inserted through the ends and through the open interior of the pallet base. 9) The four-way upright pallet device of claim 1, whereby the openings through the sides of the pallet base are aligned such that a pallet jack fork can be inserted through both openings and through the open interior of the pallet base; and whereby the openings through the sides of the pallet base is sized to receive a single pallet jack fork therethrough and the upper deck and the bottom deck are sized to accommodate an adjacent pallet base of a second four-way upright pallet device along an opposing pallet jack fork. 10) The four-way upright pallet device of claim 1, whereby the openings through the ends of the pallet base are aligned such that a pallet jack fork can be inserted through both openings and through the open interior of the pallet base; and whereby the openings through the ends of the pallet base is sized to receive a single pallet jack fork therethrough and the upper deck and the bottom deck are sized to accommodate an adjacent pallet base of a second four-way upright pallet device along an opposing pallet jack fork. 11) The four-way upright pallet device of claim 1, whereby the openings through the sides of the pallet base are aligned and sized such that a nose plate of a hand truck can be inserted through the sides and through the open interior of the pallet base. 12) The four-way upright pallet device of claim 1, whereby the openings through the ends of the pallet base are aligned and sized such that a nose plate of a hand truck can be inserted through the ends and through the open interior of the pallet base. 13) The four-way upright pallet device of claim 1, wherein: the bottom deck further comprises a plurality of lower edges; the lower edges being chamfered inward to facilitate insertion of a hand truck nose under the bottom deck. 14) The four-way upright pallet device of claim 1, wherein: the upstanding article support surface further comprises a plurality of hook hardware articles secured thereto. 